U.S. BANS IMPORTS OF CHINA SOLAR PANELS MADE USING FORCED LABOR

The US government said late on Thursday that it has imposed an import ban on China-made solar panel material and taken other actions against Chinese companies over allegations of forced labor in an effort to root out unethical practices from US supply chains, Kyodo News reported.

The move, which includes banning imports of silica-based products made by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co., comes as the administration of President Joe Biden steps up pressure on Beijing over allegations of human rights abuses, including forced labor, against the Muslim Uyghur minority in China's far-western Xinjiang region.

Silica is a raw material used to make components for solar panels, electronics and other goods.

China, reacting to earlier reports that the US was poised to take actions targeting the photovoltaic industry in Xinjiang, said it strongly condemned the sanctions imposed on Chinese companies based on "lies and disinformation."

Accusations by the United States of "forced labor" and "genocide" in Xinjiang are the biggest lie of the century, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a press conference Thursday.

The Biden administration said it is translating into action the pledges made by the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries during a summit meeting earlier this month to address forced labor in global supply chains.

"These actions demonstrate our commitment to imposing additional costs on the People's Republic of China for engaging in cruel and inhumane forced labor practices and ensuring that Beijing plays by the rules of fair trade as part of the rules-based international order," the White House said, referring to China's official name.

The US Department of Homeland Security said its import ban applies to silica-based products made by Hoshine, which is located in Xinjiang, and its subsidiaries, as well as materials related to those products such as polysilicon.

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